Ten times the number of people expected turned out for a meeting about Wormley Community Centre’s future.

Wormley and Turnford Big Local (WTBL) expected about 20 people to attend the meeting about its plans to update the building on Wednesday last week (December 6), but instead were faced with 200.

The event was organised to support WTBL’s bid to buy the community centre following Broxbourne Council’s decision to sell the venue.

Partnership member, Peter Cassell, said: “There was massive support for WTBL’s plans to transform the building into a multi-functional community facility delivering a broad range of activities and services for residents.

“There was also huge support for the shop which adjoins the community centre to continue.”

How the Wormley Community Centre could look under Wormley and Turnford Big Local's plans (Image: Visualisation by Michael Tarring Architects)

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Architectural drawings were on show and the WTBL partnership answered questions.

“People then stayed afterwards to write comments with many offering ideas for further activities, some volunteering their help and many repeating how the community centre and shop are seen as the heart and soul of the community,” Mr Cassell added.

WTBL’s initial proposals centre around remodelling the existing building to add a community café, stage, mezzanine and smaller rooms for hire, and an outside area including allotments, a community garden and play area.

While putting together its plans, WTBL commissioned a feasibility report and held consultations with residents.